Bottle and jar carrier



Sept. 5, 1967 J. c. CARBINE BOTTLE AND JAR CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 20, 1965 FigZ I N VE NTOR. JOSEPH C. CARBINE AGENT p 5, 1967 J. c. CARBINE 3,339,814

BOTTLE AND JAR CARRIER Filed Oct. 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 5, 1967 J. c. CARBINE v 3,339,814

BOTTLE AND JAR CARRIER Filed Oct. 20; 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 United States Patent 3,339,814 BOTTLE AND JAR CARRIER Joseph C. Carbine, 100 Hewett Road, Wyncote, Pa. 19095 Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,936 12 Claims. (Cl. 224-45) This invention relates to article carriers, but more particularly to bottle and jar carriers whereby a plurality of bottles or jars may be packaged together for easy handling. More specifically the invention has to do with such carriers particularly useful with the familiar, well known small jars of baby food, whereby a plurality of the jars may quickly and easily be packaged together at their source and remain so until purchased and conveniently carried home by their users.

' Empty baby food jars have been utilized for many years by home mechanics and hobbyists to store small parts, such as nuts, screws, tacks, and a myriad of other small items and parts. A particularly useful feature of the present invention is that parts of the present carrier are easily and readily useful in mounting the jars on perforated panels now in common use in most homes and shops. Thus the invention provides a packaging convenience serving both as a carrier for a plurality of jars and subsequently as a convenient and cost free means for mounting such jars on perforated panels.

The invention is characterized by its inexpensive construction, a feature of no small moment in the sale of such low profit items as baby food, its ease of useboth as a carrier and perforated panel storageand its rugged durable construction.

In accordance with the above, and first briefly described, the invention comprises a carrier member or backbone upon which bottles, jars, or other items may be removably mounted by means of hooked pins on the items, either removably mounted thereon or permanently attached thereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a baby food jar carrier embodying the concepts of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the carrier showing baby food jars thereon in phantom;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the carrier backbone;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a perforated'panel showing how an element of the invention is used to mount a jar thereon;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of a modified baby food jar;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a ring member for mounting the jars on the backbone and the perforated panel;

fied form of the invention; FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a modified element of the invention; and

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of another modification of an element of the invention. Referring now to the details of the drawings, it is seen that the basic elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprise the carrier or backbone member FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modi- "ice 20 (FIGURE 6) and the bottle receiving and supporting elements or rings 22 (FIGURE 10). Both of these preferably are molded of a suitable plastic material, such as a high density polyethelene which has suitable resilience and flexibility at normal room temperatures, and even more so when heated, a characteristic particularly appropriate in the practice of the invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not to be considered limited to this material, as will be brought out later.

Returning to FIGURE 6, it is seen that the backbone member 20 is formed as a closed square-shaped loop with top and bottom bars 24 and 26 respectively, connected at their ends by vertical connector bars 28 and 30. The top bar 24 has opposite planar front and rear surfaces and is sufficiently thick to be self supporting. As a matter of choice, it is somewhat wider-top to bottomthan the major dimension of the other bars. A handle loop 32 extends from its top edge. It will be understood that the square frame construction was chosen for its economical and weight advantages, and that other configurations may be used as well. Extending through the top bar from front to rear are spaced pairs of holes 34 and 35. Straddling hole 34 of each pair on one side of bar 24, see FIGURE 3, is a pair of closely spaced short flat lugs 36, while another pair of similar lugs 38 straddle the holes 35 of each pair on the opposite side of the bar. Short studs 40 extend laterally from and are spaced along bottom bar 26.

Turning now to FIGURE 10, it is seen that rings 22 are provided with inwardly projecting short fins 42-preferably four-evenly spaced about its inner periphery. Extending from its outer periphery is a pair of closely spaced somewhat hook-shaped pins 44. Each pin includes a portion 46 projecting outwardly in the plane of the ring and terminating in an angularly upwardly extending portion 48 leaving an abutment 50 Where the two portions join. Depending from the bottom of pin portions 46 are short studs 52.

It will be understood that the spacing of the pins 44 from each other is the same as the spacing between: (1) holes 34 of each pair in bar 24; (2) holes 35 of each pair in the bar; and (3) adjacent holes in conventional perforated panels: normally one inch in each case.

The diameter of ring elements 22 is such that they can easily be fitted around the throat 54 of baby food jars 56 (FIGURE 5, 7 and 8) with the fins 42 engaged under a shoulder 58, thus firmly attaching the rings to the jars. This may more easily be done prior to filling the jar with the baby food, but the normal resilience of the ring material makes it possible to apply it to the jars even with the covers 60 in place. Application of the rings over the covers, however, would be easier by maintaining the rings at a slightly elevated temperature whereby their flexibility is increased.

The bottles are attached to the carrier bar 24 of the backbone by passing the pin extensions 48 through pairs of holes 34 and 35 as seen in FIGURE 1. In holes 34 the pins are inserted from the left side as seen in FIGURE 7 (the top in FIGURE 3 with the jar turned slightly clockwise from the bar unitl the abutment 50 contacts the bar. At this point the jar is turned counter-clockwise causing both pins 44 to straighten sufliciently to permit pin portions 46 to pass through the holes. Extensions 48 now turn upwardly thereby releasably locking the ring on bar 24. Several other things take place simultaneously to stabilize the jar position and provide strain relief for the pin connection with the backbone. First the studs 52 slip in between the lugs 36 which are so spaced as to lightly grip the studs, then the bottom side of the jar comes to rest against the short studs 40 on the bottom bar 26.

Similarly jars are mounted on the other side of bar 24 by inserting pins 44 through holes 35. Still another feature contributing to stabilization and locking of jars on the carrier is that when jars are mounted back to back on the opposite sides of the carrier, the outer end of at least one of the pins 44 on one ring 22 as seen in FIGURES 7 and 1, moves over and rests upon the ring 22 of the opposite ar.

This embodiment has been designed to accommodate four jars, but this is an arbitrarily selected number, and it will be understood that the invention is not to be so limited.

Of course, and if desired, the carrier may be assembled prior to the rings being attached to the jars. In this case, jars may be positioned beneath each of the four rings and an assembly press operated to force the rings over the jar covers, the fins 42 first flexing upwardly, then, snapping into the throat area of the jars when the rings clear the covers.

As shown in broken lines on FIGURE 4, spacers 62 may be molded on bar 26, or otherwise provided, to prevent the jars from contacting and breaking each other under excessively violent handling.

In normal use the rings 22 may remain on the jars without affecting their shelf storage in the home. As a special feature of the invention, after having served its purpose as a carrier, and the jars have been emptied of their food content, the rings 22 may be used to mount the jars upon a perforated panel 64, as seen in FIGURE 8. Of

course, the jars may be so mounted while the baby food is still in them, and then after the food is used they may be transferred to the perforated panel in the hobby room or shop for use in the convenient storage of small parts.

Several modifications suggest themselves. For example, the carrier member may comprise only an element with properly spaced holes and a handle, i.e., without the lugs 36 and studs 40. Or, a small piece of perforated panel may be provided with a handle opening 66, as seen in FIGURE 8, and used as the carrier member, and on whichdepending upon the size of the boardany desired number of jars may be mounted and carried.

Another modification resides in providing molded plastic jars 68 (FIGURE 9) with the mounting pins 70 formed integrally therewith.

Still another modification is shown in FIGURES 11 and 12. In this form the backbone 72 and rings 74 are molded as an integral unit. The backbone is somewhat thicker, and its top bar 76 has its sidewalls 78 sloping inwardly and upwardly at the same angle desired for the pins 80. As seen in FIGURE 12 the pins may be disconnected from the sidewalls 78 by cutting or otherwise fracturing the thin connecting portion at 82.

A further modification is shown in FIGURE 13 wherein the ring 84 is somewhat wider than theretofore disclosed. It is open at 86 to permit the jars to be inserted into the ring by forcing the throat of the jar through the opening. The ring flexes sufficiently for this purpose. Mounting pins 88 are molded integrally therewith, opposite the opening 86, or they may straddle the opening, as shown in FIGURE 14.

What is claimed is:

1. An article carrier for transporting a plurality of articles, comprising:

(A) a carrier member having (1) opposite surfaces closely spaced from each other,

(2) pairs of spaced holes,

(3) handle means for carrying said member; and

(B) a closed ring member attachable to each of said articles to be carried thereby and having means comprising a pair of spaced pins for releasable engagement with said carrier member by insertion through a pair of said holes whereby said articles may be releasably attached to said carrier member to be transported thereby and easily released therefrom for use.

2. A construction according to claim 1 wherein the pins on each of said closed ring members extend from its outer periphery for engagement with said holes in said carrier member.

3. A construction according to claim 2 wherein said pins include:

(A) abutment means for releasably locking said ring member on said carrier member.

4. A construction according to claim 3 wherein said carrier member also includes:

(A) means projecting from said carrier member for engaging said articles at two points spaced from said pins and from each other for stabilizing said articles when mounted upon said member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said carrier member comprises:

(A) a rectangular frame having top and bottom bars connected by end bars; and

(B) said pairs of holes are in and extend through said top bar and are arranged so that said articles may be mounted back to back on opposite sides thereof.

6. Apparatus by which a plurality of bottles or jars may be carried comprising:

(A) a carrier member comprising,

(1) a thin member having opposite planar side surfaces,

(2) a plurality of spaced holes extending through said member from one planar side surface to the other, and

(3) handle means by which said member may be carried; and

(B) means for attachment to each bottle or jar whereby they may releasably be attached to said carrier member, each of said means comprising:

(1) a ring shaped element having means for gripping the bottle or jar about its periphery to be carried thereby,

(2) a pair of spaced pins extending from the ring in positions to be engaged with said carrier member through a pair of said spaced holes from either side of said carrier member,

(3) each of said pins comprising a first portion projecting from said ring in the plane of the ring and at a distance suflicient to extend through said carrier member; and

(4) a second portion extending angularly upwardly from the end of said first portion and away from said ring, leaving an abutment under the point of connection of the two portions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein:

(A) said first portion of each of said pins has a depending stud; and

(B) said carrier member is provided with lug means for lightly gripping said studs when said rings are mounted upon said carrier member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein:

(A) said carrier member is provided with laterally extending studs against which lower portions of bottles or jars may engage thus to be stabilized.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein:

(A) each of said rings is provided with flexible fins on its inner periphery for engaging the throat of a bottle or jar upon which the ring is attachable.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said carrier member comprises:

(A) a rectangular frame having top and bottom bars connected at their ends by vertical bars; and wherein (B) said holes extend through said top bar;

(C) said ring stud gripping lugs extend laterally from said top bar; and

(D) said stabilizing studs extend from said bottom bar.

11. Apparatus for mounting articles such as bottles or 76 jars on perforated panels comprising:

(A) a flexible planar closed ring member adapted to be engaged around the neck of a bottle or jar in gripping relationship therewith to be carried thereby; and

(B) a pair of spaced pins extending from the outer periphery of said ring and being adapted for insertion in adjacent holes in said perforated panel in releasably locking engagement therewith.

12. A device for mounting articles such as bottles and jars on perforated panels comprising:

(A) a flexible planar ring member adapted to be engaged around the neck of a bottle or jar in gripping engagement therewith to be carried thereby; and

(B) a pair of spaced pins extending from the outer periphery of said ring and being adapted for insertion in adjacent holes in said perforated panels in releasably locking engagement therewith; and wherein each of said pins comprises:

(1) a first portion extending from the ring in the plane of the ring a distance to extend through the perforated panels; and

(2) a second portion angling outwardly and upwardly from the end of said first portion and leaving the lower end of said first portion exposed to form an abutment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Linard 248-313 De Sipio et a1.

Engert 248--312 Hemphill.

Budreck 215-100 Gialanella 294-872 Schayer.

Edward 248-3l5 Hewlings.

Banse 248-223 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

D. F. NORTON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ARTICLE CARRIER FOR TRANSPORTING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES, COMPRISING: (A) A CARRIER MEMBER HAVING (1) OPPOSITE SURFACES CLOSELY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, (2) PAIRS OF SPACED HOLES, (3) HANDLE MEANS FOR CARRYING SAID MEMBER; AND (B) A CLOSED RING MEMBER ATTACHABLE TO EACH OF SAID ARTICLES TO BE CARRIED THEREBY AND HAVING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED PINS FOR RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CARRIER MEMBER BY INSERTION THROUGH 